Backcountry fishing in Montana

After a great day on the Armstrong spring creek with George Anderson, Mark picked me up at my hotel the next morning at 7 AM to head to one of his secret streams in the hills. I know Mark prefers small streams with solitude over any famous and crowded river. I told him I'll take any stream he choses, as long as we have fun with dry flies. From the pictures of Mark's outing I knew they all looked amazing 😀.

The drive to the hills was pure sight seeing. This is probably why I love the Rockies. After an hour and a half we arrived at our destination. As we geared up, I saw Mark hanging his bear spray on his 'vest belt'. Just to be safe... This 'vest belt' made by his wife is probably the best waist bag I've seen so far. I did consider packing it for the trip. I left it at home as my duffle was already exploding.

As we walked into the bush, I saw this small stream that reminds me of many streams in Southern Germany and Austria. The bottom was covered with bowling ball sized rocks, covered with alge. I was hoping that the cleats under my rubber soled wading boots would help me from slipping but that wasn't the case. Within half an hour I slipped and had water in my hippers. Being so early, it felt a bit chilly. Well, it should warm up any soon. By the way, Mark is a the president of the wet wading club.






Mark was catching his first fish as I was struggling with my slippery boots (feeling insecure about a firm grip on the stream sucks!) as well as being on the wrong side of the stream I wasn't really able to concentrate on my fishing. I soon crossed the stream and the first fish on my nymph was a fact.

Besides rainbows and brown trout this stream has a very healthy population of mountain whitefish. Surely a sign of clean water. The strikes of these whitefish are lightning fast (boy did I miss a few!) and they fight like fish at least twice their size. I love them!







Every now and then Mark dipped his thermometer in the water and the temps went from around low 40F to almost around 50F. So, we changed the nymphs for dries. I tied a Humpy and we were catching fish on the surface the rest of the day.





Mark with his specialty: high sticking a dry

























Mark's Bill Blackburn and my Scott


These two sure know how to pose


A tiny spring along the banks








Thanks for an amazing day Mark!

Tomorrow: on my way to the Henry's Fork

My 2018 USA trip:

1) Upper stretch of the Elk river (BC)

2) Visit to RL Winston rod factory

3) A day with George Anderson on the Armstrong Spring Creek (MT)

4) Backcountry fishing in Montana

5) West Yellowstone

6) Henry's Fork - part 1

7) Henry's Fork - part 2

8) Henry's Fork - part 3

9) Cutthroat fishing with Dusty & Colt

10) Fiberglass Clave 2018

11) Last day of the trip - Soda Butte & Lamar (YNP)

12) Drone video of my BC / Montana / Idaho trip